Packing light vs complicated travel plans
I was in Madrid in mid-October for a couple of days. That’s not a long time, so packing should be easy, right? Well, as it happens, it was a bit more complicated than you might think…
OK, let me explain: So, I flew in from Finland, with a stopover in Manchester. Now, changing planes is never a good idea, and changing planes in Manchester is a terrible idea. Especially if your starting point (Helsinki) and your final destination (Madrid) are both within the Schengen area but your stopover isn’t… So, to simplify matters and to speed up the process (and to make sure my luggage would not get lost in transit) I decided to travel with cabin luggage only.
Only, this isn’t the end of the story… You see, After Madrid, Professor M and I would be spending a day in London before we could get back (to our second) home in England. And then, after 2 nights in England, we would be going to Germany for the weekend. And back to England again, for one night. And then I would fly back to Finland on Monday evening…
A bit of a packing challenge, then…
Right, let’s start with the weather. So, it was quite cold in Helsinki, quite warm in Madrid, and something in between in London. And in Germany it was almost as cold as in Finland. What this means is that I would need two coats: one for cooler weather and one for Madrid.
OK, my cabin luggage can fit clothes for 4 days, sure. That’s Madrid and London sorted, then. And I can repack (for Germany) when we get back home (our second home in England, that is). I must have a coat suitable for cooler weather there… No? OK, it seems all my autumn clothes have mysteriously relocated to our home in Finland… Better pack a light-weight down jacket, then.
So, I would be wearing one coat, of course, and the other one would be packed. But still, this trip would require not just one but two coats that travel well… OK, if you want to see the other coat (i.e. the one I was wearing in cooler temperatures, see HERE).
Basically, what I packed (for Madrid) was just a variation of the minimalist travel wardrobe, built around (this time) two coats, two bags (one of them a folded canvas bag), and two pairs of shoes. Yes, it all fit very nicely into my cabin luggage and there was some room for shopping, too.
But what to wear in Madrid in October?
It’s important to dress in a way that is seasonally appropriate. In Madrid, the weather was fine, around 20 °C / 68 °F by day, a bit cooler by night. Well, for me, as a Finn, these are summer temperatures, more or less…
The locals were wearing their autumn coats and heavier shoes, of course, and I didn’t want to stand out too much, i.e. wear anything that screams tourist. Easier said than done when the weather reminds you of early summer… Anyway, I thought I should at least wear a coat. But I just can’t make myself wear a puffa jacket / wool coat when the temperature is still in double digits, so I needed to pack a trench coat. And I must confess, for the most part I ended up carrying the trench folded over my arm instead of wearing it. It was just way too warm…
As I’ve been wearing autumn coats and warmer clothes for weeks in Finland already, flirting with a bit more summery attire was actually quite nice. I also thought this trip would be the perfect opportunity to wear my red suede ballerinas one last time before I store them for winter.
Hmm, I think I said my goal was to avoid looking like a tourist…
Anyway, this is the first of the two outfits built around the blue trench coat, the red tote bag, the leopard print sunglasses and the red shoes. You’ll see the other one next week.
Outfit details:
trench: Hobbs (old) / jeans: Next (old) / shirt: Marks and Spencer /
bag: Furla / shoes: Clarks / sunglasses: Dolce and Gabbana
Do you find it difficult to adjust your style to different climates?
Tiina
Linking up with:
Not Dead Yet Style, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, Garay Treasures, High Latitude Style, Sydney Fashion Hunter, The Pleated Poppy, Style Elixir, Get Your Pretty On, Happiness at Mid-Life, A Labour of Life, Doused in Pink, Curly Crafty Mom, Fashion Should Be Fun, Rachel the Hat, Sincerely Jenna Marie, More Pieces of Me, Color and Grace, The Wardrobe Stylist, Not Dressed As Lamb, Style Nudge, Coco et La Vie en Rose, Fashionably Employed,The Fabulous Journey, Living on Cloud Nine, A Well Styled Life, Elegance and Mommyhood. Posh Classy Mom, Nancy’s Fashion Style, Sheela Writes, Shelbee on the Edge Over 50 Feeling 40 A Pocketful of Polka Dots
Such a chic classic outfit. I really like the pops of red with the blue and white.bisousSuzanne
Thanks, Suzanne. It's a classic colour combo, red, white and blue…
You did bloody well. What a challenge. I would have failed miserably at this task. I even need a big suitcase for 4 days in Paris by train….Greetje
Thanks, I guess I'm learning… Or maybe I'm just getting lazy, wearing the same clothes all the time. Well, a big suitcase for Paris might be smart, think of all the shopping you can do.
I cant imagine traveling so much and only have handbagage! You are a specialist in traveling!
Thanks, Nancy. Well, I should be en expert, what with all the travelling I do, and living out of a suitcase most of my life. But I really think it's just me being lazy, making things simple and cutting corners.
You ar a travel goddess! And I love this classic look with your personal touches.
Oh, thank you Sandy! Stop by next week when I will reveal the ultimate secret to fast packing.
I am always in awe of your packing prowess and this time was no exception.You look so polished in this classy casual look, not a hint of tourist here.
Thanks, Jill. I did feel like a tourist, though, given that the locals were wearing much heavier coats and shoes, and I actually changed out of this outfit because it was too hot!
Unfortunately, I don't travel very often, but my biggest challenge is transitioning seasons especially when they are unpredictable. #TopoftheWorldLinkUp
Oh, I know just what you mean! Warm days and cold evenings, that's a challenge.
Im in love with those sunglasses. This is a GREAT look. Four you on Turning Heads tuesday linkup!www.highlandfashionista.com
Thanks, Kristin. This is probably my favourite pair of sunglasses, given how often I wear it.
What a fabulous look! You look effortless chic and those glasses are really fab and go well with your entire look!Edwige | http://www.hypnozglam.com
Thanks! That is so sweet of you, you made my day! Really, effortless chic has always been my personal goal, my late mother was the epitome of that and I'm doing my best to follow in her footsteps. Maybe some of that influence rubbed off on me after all.
Thanks for linking up to the Ageless Style linkup party!
Thanks, Nicole.
Very patriotic colouring, fab shots too. Nice to link up with you. Jacquiwww.mummabstylish.com
Patriotic, hmm… In my case that would be blue and white. But never mind details…
Love the pattern mixing and pop of red with this outfit. The blue looks so great on you. Thanks for joining the Ageless Style Linkup! Shelly||The Queen in Between
Thanks, Shelly. I'm clearly having a red phase, but I like it in small doses.
I love the red, white and blue with a little leopard print! You did a good job with the packing! I'm not great at travelling light. I went to Madrid for a long weekend at the beginning of September and it was really hot – mid to high 30s! I was going to just take hand luggage but we ended up taking a case for the three of us, because I didn't know what I'd want to wear. I loved Madrid though, beautiful city.Emma xxxwww.style-splash.com
Well, sometimes you need a bigger suitcase, and with hot weather you need a lot of clothes, too!
LOVE these colors together..so chic…that bag..that leopard belt…LOVE it all!!
Thanks, Andrea!
Enjoyed reading about your travel plans! Lovely combination of items for packing. I think the color pallete is wonderful and love the blues and red on you!thanks for linking up with turning heads tuesdayjess xxwww.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Thanks, Jessica!
Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style.